"Dream, Dream, Dream! Conduct these dreams into thoughts, and then transform them into action."

- Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

#Baba

Star Citizens

Reforesting India: How Peepal Baba is Leading the Charge for a Greener Tomorrow

  In the quest to rejuvenate our planet and ensure its survival, Swami Prem Parivartan, fondly known as Peepal Baba embarked on a mission to cultivate an abundance of natural air-conditioning agents—trees. His organization, ‘Give Me Trees’, is at the forefront of a crusade to combat climate change and ensure a sustainable future for all of us. Give Me Trees connects with people and volunteers through a dedicated website and Facebook page. Once engaged, volunteers are encouraged to plant and care for trees in their respective areas. The organization provides essential training to ensure effective tree planting and conservation. From students to retired professionals, everyone is empowered to make a positive impact. To ensure the trees' survival, the organization solicits regular "Survival" reports from volunteers and teams working in specific regions. Peepal Baba outlines three fundamental principles guiding their efforts: selecting native trees, respecting the soil, and taking an oath to care for the saplings until they grow into sturdy trees. Peepal Baba asserts that the Peepal tree is considered sacred and has lots of religious significance attached to it. Since that provides automatic protection to the tree, he decided to plant lots of Peepal trees across India. Today, Give Me Trees, stands as one of India's most extensive community-driven tree planting initiatives. With an impressive force of more than 10,000 volunteers, it boasts a remarkable track record of planting in excess of 20 million trees, including a staggering 1.25 crore Peepal and Neem trees. Peepal Baba's message is clear: tree planting isn't a one-day event, but a daily ritual for a sustainable future. He urges everyone to join this green revolution, not just for ourselves but for our children and future generations. Together, we can make our planet a better place with clean air and abundant greenery. email: info@givemetrees.org.in  websites:  www.givemetrees.org                  www.peepalbaba.org

6 Sep 2023
Star Citizens

Mini Maestro: Babar Ali, The World's Youngest Headmaster, Paves the Path to Universal Education

In a remarkable tale of determination and passion, Babar Ali, a teacher from the Murshidabad district in West Bengal, has become the youngest headmaster in the world. At the tender age of nine, driven by his love for teaching, Babar embarked on a journey to provide education to underprivileged children in his community. Today, his incredible work has not only transformed the lives of countless students but has also contributed to increasing the literacy rate in the region. Babar Ali's school, named Anand Shiksha Niketan, started humbly in the courtyard of his home, operating from a simple hut. Motivated by the sight of children his age unable to attend school, he took it upon himself to provide them with an education. His dedication and perseverance have resulted in the establishment of a school that now educates hundreds of poverty-stricken children. Recognized by various national and international agencies, Babar Ali has received numerous awards for his selfless work. He was honored with the Real Heroes award by CNN IBN, the Indian of the Year award by NDTV, and the Literacy Hero Award by Rotary India Literacy Mission, among others. His inspiring story has even been included in the coursebooks of different state and central education boards. Anand Shiksha Niketan, a school for joyful learning, not only provides tuition-free education but also offers free learning kits, uniforms, and basic amenities to its students. Babar Ali's vision and relentless efforts have inspired others to join the cause of making education accessible to all. Babar Ali's unwavering commitment to education serves as an inspiration for everyone, proving that with dedication and a specific goal, great outcomes can be achieved.

5 Sep 2023
Star Citizens

Babasaheb Purandare – The Writer Whose Work Transports Us to the Times of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

97-year-old Balwant Moreshwar Pundare, popularly known as Babasaheb Purandare is a renowned writer and theatre personality from Maharashtra who has made an unparalleled contribution to the history of Maharashtra. Purandare has written numerous books and plays on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the great Maratha warrior and 17th-century founder of the Maratha Empire. His book - Raja Shivchatrapati - based on the life and times of Chhatrapati Shivaji is widely read. He is best known for his play Janata Raja which is also based on the life of Shivaji. Ever since Janata Raja was first staged in 1985, the drama has been staged over 864 times in 16 districts of Maharashtra, Agra, Delhi, Bhopal, and the United States. The play was later translated to Hindi for wider reach.  Purundare started writing stories about Shivaji at a very young age. He compiled these stories into a book called ‘Thingya’ which means ‘Sparks’. He is also the author of Raja Shiva-Chatrapati and Kesari. He has also written a book on the life of Narayanrao Peshwa. Purundare’s work is largely based on the events related to Shivaji Maharaj’s life due to which he has earned the title ‘Shiv Shahir’ (Shivaji’s Bard). He is also the recipient of Maharashtra Bhushan Award, Maharashtra’s highest civilian award. For the last three-quarters of the century, Purandare has presented the romanticized life and times of Shivaji through his works and speeches. For his outstanding work, Purandare has been awarded the Padma Vibhushan this year. Image Source: HappyAging.in

10 Sep 2019
Star Citizens

Good News

From Mumbai to Shirdi: Embark on a Spiritual Journey in India's Newest High-Speed Trains

Shirdi, a small town located in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra, is a popular destination for both spiritual seekers and tourists. The town is most famous for being the resting place of the revered saint Sai Baba, whose teachings continue to attract people from all over the world. Every year, millions of people visit Shirdi to pay their respects to Sai Baba and seek his blessings.  Now, devotees have a reason to rejoice as Shirdi is even more accessible with the introduction of two new Vande Bharat Express trains from Mumbai to Shirdi and Solapur.  The CSMT-Shirdi train will run six days a week, with departure from Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) at 6:15 am and arriving at Shirdi at 12:10 pm. The train will leave Shirdi at 5:25 pm arriving at CSMT at 11:18 pm. The train will take a stunning route via Thal ghat (Kasara), offering passengers breathtaking views of the ghats. The train will have halting destinations at Dadar, Thane, and Nashik Road, and is expected to cover the distance in seven hours. The Vande Bharat Express trains are equipped with advanced technology, including CCTV cameras and a communication system to speak with crew members in emergencies. The trains also come equipped with Kavach compatibility, meaning they are fitted with the Automatic Train Protection system, which prevents collisions between two trains by activating the braking system when necessary. In addition, these trains will traverse the hilly incline of the ghats without the support of additional locomotives, a feat made possible by the fitting of parking brakes. With their impressive speed and advanced technology, these trains are set to revolutionize travel within Maharashtra, making it easier for locals and tourists alike to explore the state's rich cultural and historical sites. The introduction of these two Vande Bharat Express trains highlights the government's commitment to improving connectivity and infrastructure, ultimately benefiting the people of Maharashtra.

5 Mar 2023
Good News

The Shirdi Shrine's trust announces an innovative project of power generation from feet energy of pilgrims

The famous Sai Baba’s Shirdi Shrine is working on an eco-friendly way of generating power by using the foot energy of the devotees. Located in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra, the Shirdi Shrine witnesses a daily average of 50 thousand devotees visiting the shrine. This is a potential point that can be very well exploited for innovative purposes.  Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust has planned many projects and programs to be put to implementation ahead of the centenary festival of Saibaba’s Samadhi the following year. One such project is the installation of energy pedals at the shrine for power generation. The pedals will be pressed as visitors will walk on it. This will convert the muscular force to power generation. Once walked over it, the pedals will return back to normal positions which will assure power saving. The generated power will be used to power the electric bulbs and fans in the temple. Many other projects are also announced benefitting masses. The Trust in collaboration with the TATA Trust will set up a 100-bed cancer hospital. It will also set up IAS training academy for the underprivileged kids. Noticing the number of devotees visiting the temple, the trust will have blood donation camps daily.

3 Jun 2017
Good News

Wanderlust

The Majestic Monument of Sikh Faith: A Testament to the Legacy of Guru Nanak Dev Ji

Gurdwara Baba Atal, located in the city of Amritsar, is a magnificent religious site. This gurdwara is renowned for its unique architecture and historic significance. The gurdwara has a nine-story tower and features paintings depicting the life of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. The architecture of Gurdwara Baba Atal is a splendid example of Sikh art and culture. The nine-story tower of the gurdwara stands 40 meters high and is adorned with numerous frescoes and paintings. The unique aspect of the tower is that it has a dome-shaped top that is typical of Islamic architecture. It is believed that Baba Atal, the son of Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, fell from this tower, and Guru Nanak Dev Ji restored his life. Therefore, this site holds great historical and religious significance for the Sikh community. Tourists and pilgrims visit Gurdwara Baba Atal to explore its grandeur and pay their respects. The gurdwara's peaceful atmosphere attracts visitors from all over the world, who seek spiritual solace and a glimpse of Sikh traditions. The gurdwara also has a library that has an extensive collection of books on Sikh history and philosophy. The library is open to visitors who are interested in learning more about Sikhism. Moreover, Gurdwara Baba Atal is also located near the world-renowned Golden Temple, which is another popular tourist destination in Amritsar. Tourists can explore both these sites and witness the rich history and culture of the Sikh community.

20 Feb 2023
Wanderlust

Positive Reads

Bullet Baba Temple- a One-of-a-Kind Temple in the World!

The Om Banna Dham or Bullet Baba temple is a unique temple located on the NH-62 Jodhpur-Pali Expressway in which a  Royal Enfield Bullet 350 is worshiped! If we were to believe the locals, Om Banna's ghost is claimed to still ride his Bullet on the aforementioned highway and assist the stranded motorists. People from across the country come to the Bullet Baba temple to bow down for their happiness and safety before embarking on a road journey.  Om Singh Rathore, a young boy from Bangdi in Rajasthan, was traveling toward his hometown of Chotila near Pali that fatal night about 30 years ago when he lost control of his motorcycle. Om died instantly when the bike collided with a tree. The bike was taken into custody by the local police, but the very following day it suddenly vanished from the police station where it was parked and was discovered at the scene of the accident. The police took Om Banna's Royal Enfield Bullet 350 with registration number RNJ-7773 back to their station after initially believing it was an anti-social element act. This time, the bike was chained up and the gasoline tank was emptied. To everyone's surprise, the motorcycle continued to show up at the scene of the collision despite all of these efforts. Every time the policemen tried to retain the bike at their station, the bike returned to the scene of the accident on its own before the break of dawn. Soon after, the news quickly spread like wildfire to the adjacent villages, and ever since, locals have been worshipping the "Bullet Bike" and calling the temple Bullet Baba or Om Banna Dham. Om Banna's ghost is said to still ride his motorcycle on the NH-62 Jodhpur-Pali highway, where the accident occurred, and aid the grieving motorists. The locals of Chotila village also hold the opinion that Om Singh Rathore's passing in particular, as well as the recent sharp decline in road accidents in the area, is evidence that Om Banna's ghost protects travelers.

8 Dec 2022
Positive Reads

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